Mr Francois, vice-chairman of the European Research Group, made his comments after learning the ERG's amendment would not be voted on this evening. Speaking in the Commons Mr Francois said: "I express disappointment that you have chosen not to select amendment B, which would had the support of 127 members of this house, including the DUP, 13 members of the Labour Party and the rest being Conservative members." In a further blow, Mr Bercow also allowed an amendment which would enable MPs to vote on whether there should be a second referendum, while earlier Mr Bercow has given a clear hint that he could be preparing to BLOCK a third vote on Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement.
Mr Francois asked the Speaker for guidance as to why it was not chosen - and the rival amendment pursuing a second referendum was, with Mr Bercow saying "members do have to take the rough with the smooth", adding that while it is true the number of signatories is important it is "not the only factor", and he tries to "always do my best to be fair to the miscellany of different points of view represented in this House".
After Parliament voted to block a no deal Brexit last night, Mrs May agreed to go to Brussels to ask for a short extension to Article 50, provided the Commons approves her deal next week - but responding to a question by Labour backbencher Angela Eagle about whether such a move was permissable, he said: "No answer is required now but a ruling will be made about that matter at the appropriate time. I'm grateful to the right honourable lady for reminding me a ruling might be required."
Mr Bercow may have been referring to an obscure rule on page 397 of “Erskine May”, the Commons' rule book.
This states: "A motion or an amendment which is the same, in substance, as a question which has been decided during a session may not be brought forward again during that same session. Whether the second motion is substantively the same as the first is a matter for the chair."
Immediately after Mr Bercow’s ruling, Leave Means Leave co-chairman Richard Tice fired off a tweeted accusing Mr Bercow of “shameless bias”

This project was funded, in part, through Grant the opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed herein are those of the Author (s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of State.